Eggnog Bread Pudding

Say hello to your new holiday favorite: Eggnog Bread Pudding! This recipe is all about giving a second life to those day old cinnamon rolls, infusing them with the creamy, spiced goodness of eggnog. It’s a cozy, festive dish that’s perfect for chilly evenings and holiday gatherings!

Eggnog bread pudding is like a hug in a dish, and pairing it with the right sides or toppings can turn it into a full-on culinary cuddle. Try serving it with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce or along side a warm cup of coffee! 

Why This Recipe Works

• Easy and Forgiving: It’s a simple, mix-it-up-and-bake recipe, great for beginners or when you’re not in the mood for a baking challenge.
• Comfort Food: It’s warm, custardy, and spiced – the perfect comfort food for cold days.
• Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare it in advance, making it perfect for stress-free holiday entertaining.

This breakfast is about to become your go-to for the holidays. I have the perfect Christmas morning breakfast for you this holiday season! The best part? You can prep this eggnog bread pudding recipe in advance, making your morning fuss free and open for creating memories! 

This dessert is a creamy, comforting embrace of holiday flavors. The base of rich, velvety eggnog custard perfectly complements the warm, spiced sweetness of the cinnamon rolls, with their soft, moist insides and slightly crispy tops. The absence of frosting allows the nuanced flavors of nutmeg and vanilla in the eggnog to really shine, creating a less sweet but more complex taste experience. It’s like savoring the essence of the holidays in every spoonful – a delightful blend of familiar and cozy spices wrapped in a rich, eggy embrace. 

Before You Start Baking

This recipe was actually one of the very first to ever appear on my site. At some point the recipe was removed and my inbox has been flooded with requests to bring it back! So many of you have made this your holiday tradition and it absolutely warms my heart! It is the perfect twist on a classic and gives a little boost to the traditional bread pudding. Here are the ingredients you need: 

• Cinnamon Rolls: Listen, this ingredient is the secret to success. Day old, or stale bread, helps to soak up all of the rich custard goodness. So IF you happen to have unfrosted cinnamon rolls sitting around, this is the perfect recipe for you. In a pinch, you can also use brioche bread or challah bread. In that case, swap the granulated sugar for brown sugar. 
• Eggnog: Use your favorite store bought, homemade, or leftover eggnog (is that a thing??)! I even have an eggnog recipe for you here! This replaces heavy cream in your bread pudding recipe.  
• Eggs: Eggs in bread pudding are like the secret agents of baking – they’re multitaskers that play several crucial roles: structure, custard formation, and volume. I use whole eggs vs egg yolks. 
• Sugar: Just a touch, since the cinnamon rolls bring enough sweetness to this dish. 
• Nutmeg: Often times your eggnog is served with a touch of nutmeg. It’s a festive touch that really brings this recipe together. 
• Vanilla Extract: In eggnog bread pudding, vanilla rounds out the flavors. It balances the richness of the eggnog and tones down the spices.

Variations and Substitutions

Eggnog Bread Pudding Recipe

1. PREP: Lightly mist a 9×13 dish with baking spray and set aside for later. 
2. CUBE: Cut the cinnamon rolls into bread cubes or bite sized pieces. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. 
3. WHISK: Combine the eggnog, eggs, sugar, nutmeg and vanilla extract into a medium sized mixing bowl. Whisk until combined fully. Drizzle the eggnog mixture over top of the cut up cinnamon rolls and gently stir to coat each piece of bread completely. 
4. CHILL: Transfer the coated bread pieces to the prepared 9×13 pan. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. 
5. BAKE: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. When ready to bake, remove the plastic cover from the pan and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. 
6. ENJOY: Enjoy this easy bread pudding recipe warm with your favorite toppings! 

Helpful Tools

• Large Bowl (affiliate): For combining your custard ingredients.
• Whisk (affiliate): Essential for thoroughly mixing the eggnog, eggs, and spices to create a smooth custard.
• Baking Dish (affiliate): A good-sized baking dish (like a 9×13 inch) is perfect for most bread pudding recipes.
• Airtight Container (affiliate): I absolutely love this Oxo container. It’s super airtight and keeps things fresh for days. 

Recipe FAQs

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